Questions and answers

Questions and answers

What is your biggest fear going into this experience?

     I have a few fears about going to Nicaragua. I think my biggest fear is having a very strong connection to the children. It will put a dent in my heart to think that I changed somebody's life but I won't ever see them again.  I think I will remember the children my whole life even though I am only there for a week.  I will see the excitement and joy of the children in Nicaragua. I will talk to them and teach them.  I hope our time together will change their life. Our time will bring me more connected to the children. It will be hard to leave them with the connection I have. Thinking I will not ever see them again. Never. I will have pictures and blogs of everyday. These children will fill my heart with joy and pride.  To think I changed somebody's life by just saying "hello". Leaving  is another fear.  It will be very hard.  Going to Nicaragua, seeing the children then leaving only a week later scares me some.  I think I will be going back as a new person.  They will change my life forever, and I hope I change theirs too.

What do you think will be the most difficult thing going into this experience?

         Honestly I think that the most difficult thing going into this experience is seeing how little the children have in Nicaragua compared to us.  I think they are just happy with what they have. I am honestly too much of a "wanting" little girl.  I seem to want  a lot of things.  The children just love having us there.


In what way do you think you will change?
          Seeing all the children happy for what they have and not sad for what they don't have will really teach me to see what I have, not what I don't have. Always look at the good side of things, not the bad side. Like if your mom asks you to do chores. Don't look at is as cleaning your house and making dinner, look at is as making your mom happy and great full for your help.

     I will also learn to always look at the inside of people not the outside. When I went to my interview they asked me what are you scared of. I said hobos. Seeing the children with disabilities learning what I learn ,will teach me that even though hobos look scary and mean ,they may be nice and considerate of one another. The children at the school may look different but they may be very nice and gracious of every single person willing to say "hello" to them.

                                                       BEFORE NICARAGUA

Hi, my name is Samantha Nothnagel. I was chosen to be part of a group called Children's Global Alliance, which is a Vail Valley based non-profit organization created to give teenagers a hands on experience in some of the world's most impoverished countries.  

I am going to Nicaragua to a school, Escuela Especil Sor Maria Romero with children that are disabled. I will be teaching children. On top of that I will be cleaning the school, as well as repairing the facilities and feeding the children. I will also be providing medical care, supplies, clothing and school supplies. I applied to go to Nicaragua with the Children's Global Alliance for the inspirational opportunity. Just think who gets to go to Nicaragua to help children with disabilities. I mainly applied because I  thought this would be a life changing event for me. Not only am I able to go to Nicaragua but my twin sister Addison is also going with me. 

Now here is a little bit about me. I am in 7th grade and I go to Eagle Valley Middle School in Eagle Colorado. I go to Vail Gymnastics and I love it. I hope you read my future blogs and have a great day.